Out of the past 5/26/12

25 years ago: May 26, 1987

The Missouri Senate last week approved a bill giving counties the authority to levy new types of sales taxes; it includes an amendment allowing voters in Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties to impose a sales tax to fund a proposed 8,000-acre recreational lake; the amendment was offered to the bill by Sen. John Dennis of Benton, Mo.

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education approves a pay hike that will give public school teachers a $500 pay increase at each level of the salary scale next year.

50 years ago: May 26, 1962

The Naeter family, founders of The Southeast Missourian newspaper, have presented a carillon to the State College; a half-hour program will precede the baccalaureate service for the graduating class of the college tomorrow; the recital will be given by Robert J. Carwithen, organist and music director of First Presbyterian Church at Germantown, Pa.

The first paving of Interstate 55 in the Cape Girardeau area is underway; the 24-foot lane on the bypass at the Wedekind Park interchange is being constructed.

75 years ago: May 26, 1937

Backed by an opinion from the Missouri Attorney General's office on the legality of pinball machines, City Attorney R.P. Smith says he has advised owners and operators of the devices to refrain from locating them in Cape Girardeau; the opinion holds that most pinball machines are gambling devices and therefore are illegal.

Cost of construction of the Red Star and Robertson-Gale suburb sanitary sewer system will be approximately 1.4 cents per square feet, or around $22,839.

100 years ago: May 26, 1912

The 39th baccalaureate sermon for the Normal School graduating class is delivered in the morning by Dr. Ivan Lee Holt, pastor of Centenary Methodist Church.

The Cape Girardeau Capahas play their first baseball game of the season down at Puxico, Mo., beating the home team after a 13-inning slugfest, 14-10.

-- Sharon K. Sanders